Congress Delegation meets EC over Meenakshi Natarajan nomination rejection

A delegation from the Congress party, comprising K.C. Venugopal, the General Secretary, and candidate Meenakshi Natarajan, met with the Election Commission of India today. Also part of the delegation were Abhishek Singhvi, Jairam Ramesh, Bhupesh Baghel, Deepa Dasmunshi, and Randeep Surjewala.

Following the meeting, Congress Leader Singhvi informed reporters that Meenakshi Natarajan had only received a court notice stemming from a private complaint asking why cognizance should not be taken.

The Returning Officer reportedly held that Natarajan had failed to disclose information relating to a Telangana court matter in her affidavit, and BJP leaders argued that this amounted to concealment of material facts. Election authorities cited an incomplete affidavit as the reason for rejection.

He clarified that no criminal case exists, and that the Returning Officer in Madhya Pradesh had incorrectly characterised it as such.

Singhvi stated that the situation represents an error where “two plus two equals seven.” He further explained that if the court were to take cognizance, charges would need to be formulated, at which point Meenakshi Natarajan would be required to declare the case in her sworn statement.

Singhvi argued that the Commission has the power to fix the wrong decision and asked them to cancel the rejection.

Meanwhile, Venugopal posted on X that an urgent meeting of Congress general secretaries and in-charges has been convened by party president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi on Thursday (June 11), in view of the current political developments.